Sunday 26th.

The weather very warm and sultry today. Went to St. John’s this morning and heard
Mr. Hawley preach a Sermon. I admire the Episcopal service. If I consulted my own
feelings, I would always attend the Church of that sect. It is the only one in which
my feelings of devotion are excited. One feels less the want of merit in a Preacher
because you feel yourself capable of partaking equally in the services. This cannot
be where you must trust a man to pray for you. He may not and probably will not draw
your attention. In the afternoon, I wrote and sent a letter to Mr. Brooks on the subject
of my marriage.1 It is gratifying to think the thing off my mind. The result will soon come, and all
I can trust to is the purity of my motives. I have done my duty as far as I can.

1. CFA’s letter was an argument against further extending his engagement. Recognizing
that the combined allowances promised by JQA and by P. C. Brooks would “barely suffice
to support us,” CFA stiffly reminded his prospective father-in-law that his financial
prospects were not likely to improve in the immediate future, for it would be years
before he earned his living at { 300 } the bar. An objection to CFA on this ground, therefore, would be “equally good for
ten years as for a day.” “If it prevails,” CFA warned, “I have already frankly told
Abby that our engagement must cease” (CFA to P. C. Brooks, 26 Oct. 1828, LbC, Adams Papers).

Docno: ADMS-13-02-02-0004-0010-0028

Author: CFA

Date: 1828-10-27

Monday 27th.

Morning passed at home. Little or nothing material occurring. I received a letter
this morning from Mr. Brooks most unexpectedly, but it contained little of interest.
It made me for a moment regret my having sent this letter yesterday, but on reflection,
it seems to me lucky as I should perhaps have been a little diverted from my original
purpose. Now, the die is cast. I read some of Burke, played Billiards with Thomas,
and went down to Mr. Frye’s with Thomas and John to dine. We had a pleasant time and
spent the evening playing Whist.

Docno: ADMS-13-02-02-0004-0010-0029

Author: CFA

Date: 1828-10-28

Tuesday. 28th.

Morning at home, reading and wasting it, with the exception of a visit or two with
Thomas at Mr. Huygens’ and in return to the young Mr. Rush’s.1 The weather was fine but windy. On my return I was disappointed by not receiving
my usual letter from Abby. This and some little feeling of sickness contributed to
make me dull the remainder of the day. My spirits are barely kept from sinking here
by considerable exertion. The evening was passed at home in the usual manner without
any occurrence of interest.

Wednesday. October 29th.

Morning beautiful. Remained at home writing and answering a letter from Abby which
reached me this morning instead of yesterday occasioned by a delay in the Post. I
rode afterwards to the Norfolk Steam Boat to see Thomas off to his destination at
Old Point. The day was as fine as any of the most beautiful we have in this finest
season of the year. On my return I finished my letter to Abi and passed the evening
as usual, quietly at home.

Docno: ADMS-13-02-02-0004-0010-0031

Author: CFA

Date: 1828-10-30

Thursday. 30th.

Pleasant morning. I finished the collection of Vaughan papers this morning, and have
not found so much information in them as I expected. They are very prolix. After luncheon
I walked to the Capitol { 301 } to examine the figures lately finished in the Tympanum of the Building. The effect
of them struck me very much, and on the whole, I have the impression that the front
is as beautiful a specimen of modern architecture as any in the world. The figures
are large, and seem remarkably well finished, particularly the figure of Justice and
the Eagle which I particularly admired. On my walk I met Horace Dawes, an old friend
of mine but one whom changes of circumstances and difference of situation have separated
me from for many years and will continue to do so. But I am his well-wisher still.
Evening quietly at home. Col. Trumbull called and sat an hour.